ANC 4D issued a letter to Chief Pamela Smith in light of the DC Auditor’s report on reinstatement of officers involved in killing of Karon Hylton-Brown in Brightwood Park.
As commissioners elected to represent Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D, the community where Karon Hylton-Brown was killed by Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terence D. Sutton and Lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky on Oct. 23, 2020, we are deeply alarmed about the facts outlined in the DC Auditor’s report released today. In particular, we are disturbed by Chief Smith’s decision to reject the findings and recommendations of MPD’s internal investigation and instead reinstate the officers, despite numerous violations of MPD policies.
The findings have deepened our concern that MPD’s current policies are insufficient to address and prevent misconduct or build community trust.
MPD must take immediate action to build trust with our community – and a key first step is to prioritize addressing police misconduct and adopt the recommendations outlined in the report.
The DC Auditor’s report raises serious concerns that are incumbent upon Chief Smith to address with great urgency. News of MPD’s failure to adequately address the serious misconduct that occurred within ANC 4D will only deepen distrust to such a level that no amount of community engagement can remedy the matter.
We urge Chief Smith and the MPD to give a prompt and detailed response outlining how these measures will be achieved. Our community deserves nothing less.
